18 Jan 1. Identify any weaknesses

Module 01 Discussion

The Importance of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking and logic are ways that people can more efficiently organize their thoughts to better analyze and problem solve issues faced in everyday life.

For your initial post this week, why do you believe critical thinking is important both for you, and people in general. Also, what are the potential benefits of better developing your critical thinking skills?

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 02 Discussion

Why Avoid Fallacies

For your initial posting this week, provide an example of fallacious reasoning, either your own or someone you know. Explain why the reasoning was fallacious (questionable premise, suppressed evidence, or invalid inference) and what the result of that reasoning was.

For your follow up posting, choose a classmates instance of fallacious reasoning and provide possible ways to identify and avoid the fallacy.

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 03 Discussion

Anecdotal vs. Research Based Evidence

An anecdote is essentially a short story about an interesting or relevant event that happened to someone. Anecdotal evidence is when, rather than providing evidence based on scientific research, statistics, or experimentation, personal stories related to a similar topic are collected and offered as evidence.

An example of this would be a friend of yours discouraging you from patronizing a local grocery store by telling you the story of how they thought they were treated rudely by the manager when reporting on an employee not rushing to wash their hands after coughing on them. Though usually compelling (it can be hard to disregard a good story), anecdotal evidence is not necessarily the most reliable source of information.

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 04 Discussion

Facebook, Privacy, and Advertising

Conduct a news search online using the terms “privacy and Facebook.” Take a moment to read some of the available articles, and consider how concepts of private and public information are different now versus six years ago (before the social media explosion). Has the change been for the better? Why or why not? What should the modern, social media savvy individual share with everyone and what, if anything, should they try to keep private?

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 06 Discussion

Final Thoughts

Early on, you were asked to write an explanation as to why you believe developing critical thinking and logic skills is important. How would you say your critical thinking or logic skills have changed by the end of this course? What do you think was the most valuable lesson from this quarter? Why?

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 01 Written Assignment – Create an Inductive and Deductive Argument

Previously you were introduced to the concepts of deductive and inductive reasoning, now consider the following statement: “Traditional publishing has been rendered unnecessary by the rise of digital publication.”

First respond by creating a deductive argument. Then, respond using an inductive argument. Each argument should be three-to-five sentences in length and should stand alone. In a final paragraph, explain the type of deduction and induction employed in each argument, and which argument you believe is more effective in refuting or supporting the statement provided.

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 02 Written Assignment – Identify Logical Fallacies in a Text

Click link to read Mark Twain’s essay “The Late Benjamin Franklin”

Resource: Twain, M. (1983). THE LATE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Saturday Evening Post, 255(2), 18-93. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

In a 1-page essay, provide an analysis that identifies fallacious reasoning in the story and explain why.

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 03 Written Assignment – Essay Series: Evaluative Essay Rough Draft

An evaluative essay is a way of taking a thing or idea and explaining why it is of value. In 1-2 pages, provide a criticism of a film, television show, album, work of art, or piece of literature. Provide valid arguments for why you believe the work is, or is not, worth experiencing.

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 04 Written Assignment – Compare and Contrast Two News Pieces

Coverage by of the news is not carried out by any monolithic organization that gets to decide what is, and is not, the correct way to report the news. Today perhaps more than ever, the editorial or opinion piece of the news is more apparent and widespread than it had been in the decades before cable news, 24-hour-news cycles, and the rise of the Internet as a news source. This does not necessarily mean that the news has become any less impartial, simply that news organizations are more conscious of markets and demographics, the people they are trying to attract, than ever before.

For your assignment this week, find two articles that address the same issue produced by two different news sources (this cannot be the same AP story published by different sources). In 1-2 pages, provide a summary of what message each writer is trying to get across, and provide a brief compare and contrast analysis of the two pieces. Explain which piece you feel is more effective and why. Be sure to include links for each article in your assignment.

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 04 Written Assignment -Essay Series: Evaluative Essay Final Draft

In last week’s written assignment, you composed a draft of the evaluative essay where you were to provide a criticism of a film, television show, album, work of art, or piece of literature and provide valid arguments for why you believe the work is, or is not, worth experiencing.

This week, use your instructor’s feedback on the draft, the Peer Review Services, Strategies for Revision or other Rasmussen resources to help you revise and polish the essay.

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 05 Written Assignment – Analyze 3 Advertisements

For your written assignment, find three advertisements. These can be videos, radio ads, print ads, interactive media, or any other sort of media used for advertising purposes. For each advertisement, provide a ½ page analysis that answers the following questions:

Summarize the advertisement, the apparent demographic it is aimed at, and the product it is pitching.

What are the arguments being made? Are they explicit or only implied?

Are the arguments being forwarded cogent? Why or why not?

What sorts of devices, rhetorical, language, or other are employed to either enhance or distract the audience from the message?

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 02 Course Project – Part 1

1. Define the problem, using your own words.

2. What are possible long-term complications or outcomes to this scenario?

3. Compare and contrast possible solutions to this issue.

4. Select one of the solutions you listed above as your final solution. Defend your selection.

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 03 Course Project – Part 2

1. Identify any weaknesses of your final solution.

2. Identify ways to strengthen any weaknesses you noted in your final solution

PHI2103 Introduction to Critical Thinking

Module 05 Course Project – Part 3 – Final Scenario Project Submission

Complete Part 3 of the Critical Thinking Scenario Project.

Remember to proofread your submission in order to eliminate spelling and grammar errors.